MELAB Format and Content

The MELAB tests writing, listening, reading, and speaking. The test is divided into four separate sections: a writing test, a listening test, a GCVR test (grammar, cloze, vocabulary, and reading), and a speaking test. The table below presents the format and content of the MELAB:

Section

Time

Description

# of items

Writing

30 minutes

Test takers write an essay based on one of two topic choices.

1 task

Listening

35-40 minutes

Part 1 (multiple choice)
A short recorded question or statement is accompanied by three printed responses. Test takers choose the statement that conveys a reasonable answer or response.

18

Part 2 (multiple choice)
A recorded conversation is accompanied by three printed statements. Test takers choose the statement that means about the same thing as what is heard.

22

Part 3 (multiple choice)
Four recorded interviews, such as those that might be heard on the radio, are each followed by recorded comprehension questions. The questions and answer choices are printed in the test booklet. Test takers choose the correct answer from the choices.

20

Grammar, Cloze, Vocabulary, Reading (GCVR)

80 minutes

Grammar (multiple choice)
An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of four words or phrases to complete it. Only one choice is grammatically correct.

32

Cloze (multiple choice)
Two passages with deletions are followed by choices of words and phrases to complete the text. Test takers must choose the word or phrase that best fills the blank in terms of grammar and meaning.

24

Vocabulary (multiple choice)
An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of four words or phrases to complete it. Test takers must choose the option that best completes the sentence in terms of meaning.

31

Reading (multiple choice)
Four reading passages are followed by comprehension questions. Test takers choose the correct answer from the printed answer choices.

23

Speaking

10-15 minutes

Test takers engage in a conversation with an examiner and are given the opportunity to:

ask and answer questions

describe past and future events

present, explain, and support opinions and decisions

interact in a natural conversational way (e.g., interrupting, asking for clarifications, initiating topics of interest, adapting to topic shifts)

The three first parts (Writing, Listening, and GCVR) comprise the written section of the examination and they are all administered on the same day. The fourth part, the Speaking Test, is administered before, after, or even on the same day of the written examinations.